Jeeps Showcase

The links to posts below show jeeps grouped by models, condition, and other ways. Some of these jeeps are for sale and others have been sold. If you are unsure whether a vehicle is still for sale or not, email me at d [at] ewillys.com for more info.

Parts Tips

Buying Tips

Importantly, the allure of buying a project jeep can be romantic. The reality of restoring a jeep can be quite different, expensive and overwhelming without the right tools and resources. So, tread carefully when purchasing a "project". If you have any concerns about buying a vintage jeep, or run across a scam, feel free to contact me for help, comments or concerns .

“I bought this about 15 years ago and it has been a blast. I have a large farm and we used it to cruise around here and taught my kids how to drive on it. It runs excellant and has the original Hurricane 4 cyl. Red Devil engine with a 3 spd. Trans. The tires are great, but as you can see they are not original equip. Recently installed entire brake system. We would use this to ride around at hunting season and the occassional trip down to the local watering hole. It has been great to us and has always started and never left us stranded. It truly is a great piece of history that would make an excellant canidate for restoration or use as is. We have had our fun with it but just don’t use it much anymore so it is time for it to go to a new owner.”

“great jeep mechanically……cosmeticly challanged……… runs and drives and stops! no smoke or grinds etc. was fully rebuilt as a hunting rig about 8000 miles ago ….springs,engine, tranny ,transfer,etc…..and thats about 15 years. kept outside. pretty solid body,orig seats speedo and gauges work .2 new tires original type wheels. wrong steering wheel. brand new starter and carb work done. the old jeep is about farm ready today”

“I’m moving in a couple of months and am looking to sell my 1959 Willy’s Jeep, model CJ3B. Rust free, with a four inch lift, new Ground Hawg 6 ply tires (14/35/15). The engine is a 231 Buick V6 with Heddman Headers. The Jeep comes with a vinyl top and original seat frames that have been re-upholstered, the tool box is also in excellent shape.”

“Unrestored, original 26K miles, 1955 Willy’s CJ3B Jeep. The original owner was a doctor who bought the jeep as a hunting rig in 1955. The second owner purchased it for the same purpose, hunting. He had his mechanic look it over prior to each season. 3-4 years ago he stopped hunting and parked it. As a precaution, I oiled the cylinders and it turned freely. I bought it intending to restore it, but find I do not have the time. I was told it needed brakes. It has 16″ military tires on it which are in good condition. Tow bar is included. I am asking 3,000.00 O.B.O. No e-mails.”

UPDATE: This was purchased by a reader. He has changed the color and removed the crap. It looks much better now.

I had 3 ‘what was someone thinking’ moments while looking this jeep over. Moment 1, what’s with the diamond plating under the bumper? Moment 2, did someone paint the data plates on the dash? Moment 3, what’s going on with the metal tubing that goes up from one step, around the windshield, and down to the other step?

A reader submitted this unusual find. Yes, the seller of this old jeep somehow used it as a mailbox (I think the mailbox is on the back of the jeep), though technically I’d argue the jeep is more of a mailbox pole. While I firmly believe that the jeep has earned the reputation as one of the most modified vehicles in history, the use of a jeep as a mailbox pole is particularly rare.

“Willys jeep. Military, of about 1944. No engine, no trans, no papers, but lots of rust. For a long time I used this old jeep as a mail box; if you buy it, I won’t be getting bills anymore. For $400., you can be sure that your bills will find their way to your door.”

UPDATE: During the math portion of my analysis below, I forgot the serial numbers started at 10,000, so there was more like 28,000 column shift CJ-2As. Thanks for spotting this Lee!

Here’s a VEC with a serial number of 15777. According to the CJ-2A page, the number of column shifting CJ-2As was more like 28,000 jeeps 38,000 rather than 15,000 mentioned by the seller.

“Serial number 15777, CJ2A with 3-on the tree. Very rare as only about 15,000 produced with the gear shifter on the column. Great for rock crawling as you can keep both hands on the steering wheel while shifting gears. Runs good, has good tires. I use it in the mountains near Lake Tahoe during the summer months and store it at my house in San Jose during the winter months. I also used it to pull floats in parades, but no longer retain current DNV registration. I put new Ford/Chevy large brakes on the front axle, replaced brake shoes on the rear. I also replaced the oil bath air filter and old filter systems. I have all original older parts plus some spare stuff. Email me for more info and pictures. Mike”

He writes, ” They fit CJ2A CJ3A CJ3B M38 M38A1 M606 Early CJ5 CJ6. Note:The set of seat cushions in the picture are not screwed in place, just set up to show you what they’ll look like installed. Once screwed into the seat back, fit will be tight and correct”

The information from the auction company states: “Doug Sternhagen purchased his first Willy’s Jeep in 1964 and over the past 45 years has accumulated on of the largest collections known to exist in South Dakota and possibly the entire upper Midwest. These units range from completely restored to original with most in very good running order. If you are a vintage Jeep enthusiast don’t miss this rare opportunity to purchase one or several from this great private collection”

I made more progress this weekend on the jeep. Most importantly, I planned and excecuted a design for my center console.

My center console stands between the front seats. It’s purpose was two-fold: 1, provide a place for me to put power and ignition/kills switches, along with a start button, and, 2, provide a more accessible location for plugging in my cell phone (which will sit, along with a few other items, in a compact water proof bike bag that I can easily remove).

Now you ask, and reasonably so, why install a start button and switches when you have a perfectly good key switch on the steering column?

Well, that’s a good question. There’s only one answer. I always wanted a jeep that started with a simple push button. So, I just had to get that urge out of my system. Trust that the key solution would have been easier, as my wiring harness was all set up for a GM column. This meant I had to remove the GM plugs from the harness, decode the wiring, and rewire the critical wires to the correct points in the center column.

With that said, here’s my console:

After considering a variety of designs, I came up with this simple post and console design.

Below are the steps for cutting out the back of the console. I had an old hood that I have been using for some spare sheet metal. Below is the paper template on the hood. Also on the hood is the bent and drilled console.

Next, I cut out the metal using a grinder with a cutting wheel. Then I used a paint remover on my grinder to remove the paint.

“Hello, I buy,sell,repair,and restore willys jeeps. Flat fenders are my favorite which I have owned one for over 35 years. This is a great jeep for parades, car shows and just criusing around. A previous owner has done a nice job restoring it. It has a lot of unique EXTRAS with it. … This is a nice jeep and is a very unique head turner. Rubber is very good too.

“This is a 1952 Willy Jeep 4×4. It runs and has an 8000 lb warn wench on the front and a 4″lift and 35″tires with new rims. It also has a new gas tank and battery and new brakes put in by Big O tires. The lift, brakes and gas tank were all worked on by Big O tires and I have the receipts. 602-549-0844.”

“Selling 1950 CJ-3A. Everything should be original except wiring was redone 30 + years ago and a new top bought about 25 or so years ago. All in all seems to be in good shape. Has been garage/shed/storage kept since ’83. A little work should get her running. Serial number is 51990. Would like $3k w/ the top or $2500 w/o it. Open to some negotiation. Jeep is located in Raleigh, NC (actually about 5 miles south in Garner). Buyer would be responsible for transporting it. I can also take more specific pics for anyone interested.”

Here’s one of the rare 3 door Willys Station Wagons. David highlights these on this his Willys Country website.

“Selling a rare three door Willys four wheel drive Station Wagon. Built to haul people and sold new in 1948 in Pennsylvania, this four wheel drive wagon was constructed on the truck frame and has a non-running f-head 134 engine. There is no tailgate on this one…they used the rear panel from a pickup to build the back of the body. Has the usual lower body rust, however, the frame and floors are solid. The front floors will need minor attention, however, they are not rotted like most. Needs completely restored, but is almost 100% complete…including keys and title. Does roll but will need winched onto your method of transport. A very rare piece of Willys history, from what I’ve learned only 2 like this were built and this is the sole survivor. Listing it here first but if it doesn’t sell, it will go to ebay with a higher reserve. I’d rather sell it locally and avoid the headaches that ebay always brings when selling a vehicle! I’m asking $1600 or very near offer, no trades, no checks, money orders, wire transfers, shares of your dead uncle’s estate…you get the idea! More pictures available…just ask.”

The images are a bit tiny to tell much. I’m not a big fan of the paint job, but other than that this might not be a bad price.

“1953 CJ3B Navy Jeep. Still has Navy ID and information tag on the dash. Jeep is in fantastic mechanical condition. It is currently titled & licensed and I drive it daily. Does not use oil or smoke. Motor and drive train work flawlessly except for 2nd gear. Like 75% of old jeeps, it pops out of 2nd gear when decellerating. Odometer only shows 2870 miles and it works, but I can not verify that those are the correct miles. Brakes stop it straight and fast. All turn signals and lights work. Has been converted to 12volts. Has 4 new military type non directional tires on 16″ stock rims. The spare is a newer 16″ rough tread on a split rim wheel. All guages work. Has lock out hubs & a tow bar. Call 740-448-2600 if you have any questions. Thank you.”

“Willy’s flat fender jeep. Very original. Has flathead 4 cylinder, 3 speed transmission, and twin stick transfer case. Runs good, looks good. I’m listing this to help a friend of mine get it sold. If you have any questions, call Rick at 208-695-1645 Otherwise, I’ll try and help you out the best I can through email. Thanks for looking!”